Why hire private security?

When planning protection for a business or building, hiring a private security company is an option to assess according to risks and requirements. Here is what to define before hiring.

Cover suited to your hours

Cover may be partial or continuous according to the contract. Duties, service points and access procedures must be defined within the applicable legal framework.

A night plan may include patrols, communications and incident handling. No service can guarantee the absence of crime or unexpected events.

Attention during operating hours

Risks also exist during opening hours. Assess the site and its activity rather than basing decisions on old crime rankings.

Historical financial figures do not necessarily describe the current risk at a particular business.

Procedures should focus on observable conduct and incidents, avoiding discriminatory profiling by age or appearance.

Hours, lighting, occupancy and layout are factors to review in the assessment.

Licensed personnel

Reserved private security duties belong to licensed personnel. Verify the company’s authorisation and the service’s compliance with applicable requirements.

Actions must respect legal powers, proportionality and agreed procedures. Armed cover is not a general feature of every service.

Training and updates must match the role and applicable requirements.

Suitable equipment

Cameras, communications and other equipment are selected according to need and legal requirements, including data protection. No tool guarantees one hundred per cent effectiveness.

Service organisation

Agree shifts, replacement cover, supervision and points of contact. Outsourcing does not automatically remove all of the client’s legal responsibilities.

The contract should specify equipment maintenance responsibilities and fault reporting.

Site-specific assessment

Every building has different risks and requirements. Tell us the activity, hours and objectives so a proposal with clearly defined duties can be assessed.

If you need private security in Barcelona, contact ALFHAM to discuss service scope and applicable conditions.